The Croix Chordsmen will be performing a collection of Hollywood hits at a fundraising concert.

Croix Chordsmen,

Chordsmen to aid Ronald McDonald House

April 5, 2014 - 2:00 PM

The Croix Chordsmen, a premier a cappella chorus, will perform a collection of favorite old and new Hollywood hits at fundraising concerts at 3 and 7 p.m. on April 26 at Stillwater Junior High School Auditorium, 523 W. Marsh St., Stillwater. The concert will benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester.

The group After Hours Quartet, which has been crowned Illinois Collegiate Champions for three years in a row, will be among the guest performers, sharing its sound in a variety of musical styles. In addition, Tasha Schuh, Miss Wheelchair USA 2012, will entertain the audience with her version of the classic song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Schuh, from Ellsworth, Wis., has become an accomplished singer despite sustaining an accident in high school.

“I was very involved in theater and music growing up,” said Schuh, whose father is a member of the Chordsmen. “I was a happy-go-lucky teenager performing in a production of the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ when during a rehearsal I fell 16 feet through an open trap door and crushed my spinal cord. My life was changed instantly … I was depressed. I came to a crossroads and realized I had to remain positive and move forward. I now have two bachelor’s degrees, drive my own van, I’m married and I speak to people and share my story. My life isn’t what I had envisioned as a kid, but it is a great life.”

The Ronald McDonald House in Rochester helped support and house Schuh’s family when she recovered. “The Ronald McDonald House has a special place in my heart. They did so much for my family and in turn for me,” said Schuh. “I am so excited for this concert and the chance to sing with my dad and the Chordsmen. It’s a dream come true.”

Another local charity benefiting from ticket sales will be Youth in Harmony, a local nonprofit that helps get young people into music.

“Pots & Prints,” an exhibition featuring pottery, photography and printmaking by three artists, has opened at ArtReach St. Croix, 224 N. 4th Street, Stillwater, and will be on display through May 10. The St. Croix Galleries are open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and noon-4 p.m. Saturdays.

Printmaker CathyJean Clarke, photographer Mitchell Spencer and potter Marjorie Wade, the artists of Pots & Prints, challenge the viewer to look beyond the simplicity in everyday objects to the elements that come together to create art, nature and their environment.

Historical Society to welcome volunteers

The Washington County Historical Society invites history buffs interested in volunteering with the organization to attend a volunteer orientation/informational meeting at the Warden’s House Museum at noon Saturday, April 12.

The meeting will include a tour of the Warden’s House and provide information about volunteering with WCHS. The Warden’s House is located at 602 Main Street N., in Stillwater.

Please contact Sean Pallas at spallas.wchs@gmail.com or 651-439-5956 with any questions regarding volunteer opportunities or the orientation meeting.

St. Croix Ballet to present classic comedy

Tickets are now on sale for “Coppélia,” a comedic ballet by Léo Delibes, to be performed by the St. Croix Ballet on April 25-27 at Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N., Stillwater.

“Coppélia,” directed by Susan Hovey, is the story about a clever young girl named Swanilda, her fiancé Franz, a beautiful mechanical doll Coppélia, and an eccentric toymaker, Dr. Coppelius, who dreams of making a doll come to life. It features Ukrainian Neka Tobak as Dr. Coppelius, Caitlyn McDermott and Catherine Wessel as Swanilda, and John Roesler as Franz.

Two Easter egg hunts, one for younger kids and one for older kids using flashlights are planned at Carver Park on Friday, April 11.

A free Old-Fashioned Egg Hunt starts at 6:30 for kids aged 3 to 7. The Flashlight Egg Hunt for kids 6 to 13 is at 8:30 p.m., and costs $3 if pre-registered, $5 at the event. Both events require an accompanying adult.

Lakeshore Players Theatre is looking to fill up to 26 acting roles for its 10th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival. The festival premiers 10 different plays, each with a different Twin Cities director. Up to 24 adults and two teenagers, a boy and girl, are being sought.

The auditions are 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Garnet Masonic Lodge, 4923 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. Performances are June 4-7 at Century College.

No appointments are necessary. Actors should bring a headshot and résumé. For further information: Call 651-426-3275, or e-mail ben@lakeshoreplayers.com.